Thanks to its coastal location, Languedoc-Roussillon is one of France's most ancient viticultural regions. The Greeks founded colonies here in 6 BC and were the first to plant grape vines; subsequently settled by the Romans, the region continued to nurture the vines that were an essential part of their civilization. The Roman architectural legacy is all around-Nimes, Agde and Narbonne are prime examples and ever since, wine growing has been inseparably linked to Languedoc-Roussillon's identity. 

The construction of railway lines between southern and northern France encouraged production levels to soar, with some 420,000 hectares of land under vine at one point, but a dramatic decline in wine consumption in the second half of the 20th century resulted in serious overproduction issues.